Greenwood County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent

General Description of Position: Extension agents are professional educators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. This position will provide primary leadership for the development and implementation of research-based educational programming related to family and consumer sciences. Programming will include but is not limited to: family life, nutrition, food safety, parenting, communication, financial management, leadership, health and safety. Primary Area of Responsibility: Family and Consumer Sciences Location: Greenwood County, Eureka, Kansas Responsibilities: Extension agents are professional educators who serve as a link between Kansas State University and communities across Kansas. Agents are administratively responsible to the Director of K-State Research and Extension (represented by a designated administrator) and the local extension board. Provide primary leadership for the development and implementation of research-based programming related to family and consumer sciences. Programming will include but is not limited to: family life, nutrition, food safety, parenting, communication, financial management, leadership, health and safety. Share responsibility for the 4-H youth development program working with adult volunteers who provide opportunities for youth to develop leadership, potential, self-esteem, citizenship, responsibility and capacity. Share responsibility for community vitality educational programming that addresses community functions of leadership, government, health, economy, ecosystems and social well-being.

Programming will include these steps:

Identify local needs and emerging issues related to K-State Research and Extension’s five Grand Challenges (water, community vitality, health, developing tomorrow’s leaders and global food systems) by engaging with program development committees and other community organizations and professionals.

Design appropriate educational strategies to engage clientele. These strategies might include delivering educational programming in a community-based setting, coordinating events and activities that provide experiential learning opportunities, using innovative technologies, providing individual educational consultations and facilitating groups seeking similar educational outcomes. Some overnight travel and evening and weekend work will be required.

Develop and implement strategies to expand the reach of educational programming to under-served audiences and to make certain K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider of educational programming.

Collect evidence of educational program impact. Develop specialized knowledge and skills by engaging as a member of a Program Focus Team.

Secure external funding such as grants, gifts and cost recovery to supplement local tax revenue to support and expand educational programming. May periodically be assigned to serve as the local unit director providing administrative oversight for the fiscal operations, coordination of personnel, development, delivery and reporting of program impact and other administrative functions assigned by the director’s representative and the extension board. Serve as a member of the Greenwood County team cooperating in the planning and delivery of district-wide programming and related events. Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree with knowledge of family and consumer sciences as evidenced by academic courses, professional development and/or professional experience.

Evidence of strong academic and/or professional performance as documented by college transcripts, acceptance into a graduate program or documented success in increasingly responsible professional positions.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals, groups and through mass media.

Leadership skills as evidenced by working with individuals, groups and co-workers.

Access to a personal vehicle and the ability to obtain/maintain a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s Degree.

Experience working with adults and youth from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Salary commensurate with professional experience and available funding as negotiated by the regional extension director, the local extension board and the applicant. The base starting salary is $39,000 for a BS degree with no professional experience and $42,000 for a MS degree with no professional experience.

Extension agents are Kansas State University educators and have the Board of Regents retirement plan, health and life insurance and vacation and sick leave. Depending on the date of hire there is a minimum of 30-day waiting period for health insurance. For a complete list of benefits see: http://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits/overview/

Reimbursement for travel related to achieving program objectives.

New agents are provided approximately 15 days of new agent professional development on the K-State campus during the first six to nine months. These 15 days are spread out in four different weeks. In addition, new agents spend at least three weeks with a mentor agent during the first year.

Contact Information and Email addresses for five (5) professional references (include on application). References will be requested upon submission of application.

Copy of academic transcripts showing degree(s) received. (For applicants still in college, a list of courses from the college/university website is acceptable.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Screening of Applications Begin: June 21 and continue until the position is filled. Equal Employment Opportunity: Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and actively seeks diversity among its employees. Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law. Background Screening Statement: In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University may procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.